The Stay, 636 S. Main St., Los Angeles 90014; (213) 213-7829, http://www.stayhotels.com. Opened in 2008 as a hotel-hostel hybrid, typically offering bunk beds for $35, private rooms with shared baths for $55 and private rooms with private baths for $75. It has 160 spartan rooms on three floors. It's actually a subset of the larger Hotel Cecil, whose large old lobby is next door, but the Stay's lobby and rooms boast fresh coats of paint (bright white and orange), free continental breakfasts and several Macs for guest use in the mezzanine level. The 33 rooms with private baths are the fastest sellers.

Omni Hotel, 251 S. Olive St., Los Angeles 90012; (213) 617-3300, http://www.omnihotels.com. Seventeen stories and 453 rooms, a few steps from the Museum of Contemporary Art, Disney Hall and the fountains and eateries of California Plaza. Rates $169-$259 for most rooms; more for suites.